Dog adoption in Singapore: The adopters speak

Of all the issues to consider when adopting a dog, from the financial cost to the lifetime commitment, the most important factor is that of behavioural issues.

Co-founder of Causes For Animals Singapore (CAS) Christine Bernadette says that some rescue dogs have not been properly socialised, as they have only lived on the street.

“They need to be taught how to eat from a dish, to be toilet-trained, how to walk on a leash. Sometimes, when the dogs are fed, they will pour out the food from the dish onto the floor before they eat,” says Bernadette.

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Last July, teacher Jasmine Lim, 29, encountered such behavioural issues firsthand when she adopted Merry, a Singapore mongrel. “She is not an easy dog to take care of,” says Lim, who lives in a four-room flat in Ang Mo Kio. “She’s very shy and she doesn’t walk well – she’s scared of the roads, the car, the noise and people. She’s very fussy, and only eats chicken and porridge.”

But 15 months on, Lim has no regrets. “She’s still very slim and more or less the same, just that we have got used to her habits. But she is much better with the family. She will roam around, and let my mom pat her. She likes me.”

Executive director of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Corinne Fong notes that some adopters, unable to cope, have previously returned animals to the shelter. For example, a dog was returned because it bit the domestic helper when she inadvertently moved the food bowl while the dog was eating.

But she adds, “I dare say that there have been more happy adoptions than returns.”

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One such happy adopter is Sharon Phua, 34, who adopted Kendall, one of four surviving puppies in a litter of 10. Phua, who works in business development, first met the mongrel at an adoption drive in Bishan last year. Given that she and her husband Andrew spend much of their time at work, she was looking for a dog that could be left alone for at least eight hours per day.

“Unlike the other dogs who were very active, she was just very chill. She was just lying on the floor,” recalls Phua. “We did know that she’s a bit fearful of strangers, but we know that she can be very independent and can be left alone in the house.”

Nevertheless, there were initial teething problems. Even though Kendall was named for one of the Kardashian sisters, she was hardly an attention seeker. Phua says, “She was very fearful. In the beginning, when we bring her out for walks, she panics and she will crouch down, or she will walk faster than usual, just to avoid small kids.

"Even certain movements, like if the wind blows, she will get a bit concerned and she will fidget. She was particularly afraid of skate scooters.”

Today, Kendall is still somewhat “skittish” and doesn’t really warm up to strangers. But Phua adds, “Initially, she doesn’t warm up to us that much, but now when we come home, she wags her tail.”

Phua’s advice to potential adopters: first, consider your lifestyle and priorities. She notes, “If you have a very active social life, you have to sacrifice some of that time to devote to the dog. You have to really be patient with them, and must choose the dog that suits you, rather than go for things like the specific breed or a specific look.”